Air BnB request approved by Planning and Zoning

Wednesday

A local home is a step closer to being able to operate as an Air BnB after gaining approval Wednesday from the Kirksville Planning and Zoning Commission.

A local home is a step closer to being able to operate as an Air BnB after gaining approval Wednesday from the Kirksville Planning and Zoning Commission.

Matt Stocks is seeking a special use permit at 2701 Sunset Cove Drive to operate an Air BnB in the basement of his home. The Air BnB business allows individuals to rent their entire home or rooms within their home, similar to a motel, hotel or bed and breakfast.

The property on Sunset Cove Drive is zoned R-1 Single-Family Residential, which allows for operation of a bed and breakfast with a special use permit and business license.

The Planning and Zoning Commission and Kirksville City Council had previously denied a special use permit for an Air BnB operation on Meadow Brook Drive. That request was met by overwhelming neighborhood opposition, largely due to safety concerns and the existence of a neighborhood deed of dedication that all residents have signed. That document set forth numerous conditions and regulations for homes in the neighborhood.

Stocks’ neighborhood does not have a similar document, nor was his request met with the same amount of opposition. Only his neighbor, Larry Logston, spoke at the meeting.

Logston expressed concerns for children in the neighborhood and was uneasy about different and unknown people staying in a nearby home.

“I don’t want that situation next door to me,” he said.

Stocks said he has children and wants to protect his home. He said he declined rental requests from two people in the past and carries additional liability insurance to go along with the insurance provided by Air BnB itself.

The measure passed 4-3-1, with John Buckwalter, Dr. Betty McLane-Iles, Glen Moritz and Rick Steele in favor. Doug Kollar, James Hendler and Jerry Kellum opposed the measure, while David Jacobs abstained.

In other business, the city received an application to rezone the property at 518 N. Baltimore St. from R-1 Single-Family Residential to C-1 Local Business District to allow construction of a multi-unit office building.

City documents state the property is surrounded by commercial zoning and a majority of the property in question falls under the existing High Density Commercial Corridor Overlay District along Baltimore Street.

Construction documents have not yet been filed with the city.

The measure passed unanimously, with Hendler abstaining.

Commission members also approved a variance to the city’s sign ordinance to allow for a second free-standing sign at the Kirksville Commons shopping center. The proposed sign measures 26 feet 8 inches high and would be placed along Highway 6. One such sign already stands along Baltimore Street.

According to city documents, the “shopping center currently houses Hobby Lobby and the future Marshall’s.”

The measure passed unanimously.

All items will go before the City Council at a future meeting.

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